Safety information for Wegovy®

Wegovy® is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that contains semaglutide. It is approved by the FDA for the following purposes:

• Weight management: Wegovy® is approved to help reduce excess body weight and maintain long-term weight reduction in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for:
  • Adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher
  • Adults with a BMI of 27 or higher who have at least one weight-related condition.
• Reducing cardiovascular risk: Wegovy® can be prescribed to reduce the risk of heart-related events (such as heart attack or stroke) in adults with cardiovascular disease who have a BMI of 27 or higher.

Limitations of use:

• Wegovy® should not be used with other medications containing semaglutide or with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist.

For complete safety information, please refer to the Wegovy® prescribing information .

Your doctor will not prescribe Wegovy® if:

• You or any of your family members have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
• You have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy®.

Before starting Wegovy®, make sure to inform your healthcare provider if you:

• Have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys.
• Have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy.
• Have or have had depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health issues.
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Wegovy® may harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Wegovy® at least two months before you plan to become pregnant.
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Wegovy® passes into your breast milk.

Wegovy® is a once-weekly injection that should be taken on the same day each week. You can administer it at any time of the day, with or without meals. Your clinician will guide you on the proper technique and recommend the best injection sites, such as your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

• Injection site rotation: Rotate your injection sites each week to prevent skin irritation or other issues.
• Dosing schedule: Your clinician will help you begin with the correct dose and gradually increase it as needed to minimize side effects.

Always follow the dosing schedule and instructions provided by your clinician. Do not make any changes without consulting them first.

Before you start Wegovy®, it’s important to share some key information with your clinician.

Medications and supplements

List all the medications and supplements you’re taking, including:

• Prescription drugs
• Over-the-counter medications
• Vitamins
• Herbal or dietary supplements

Wegovy® can interact with certain medications. Be sure to mention if you’re taking:

• Insulin (Lantus, Humalog, Novolog):
  • May increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in people with type 2 diabetes.
• Sulfonylureas (Glipizide, Glyburide, Glimepiride):
  • May increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in people with type 2 diabetes.
• Other GLP-1 medications (Trulicity, Ozempic, Saxenda, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Victoza, Rybelsus):
  • There have not been enough studies to determine the safety and efficacy of combining GLP-1s.
• Medications for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)
  (Bexarotene):
  • May increase the probability of pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas.
• Medications that can affect blood glucose levels (Gatifloxacin):
  • May cause severe levels of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that can result in death.

When considering Wegovy®, be aware it may interact with other medications that aren’t listed above. Since it slows stomach emptying, it can affect how your body absorbs oral drugs. Your clinician will guide you on how to schedule your treatments. Always check with your clinician before combining any medication or supplement with Wegovy®.

Medical history

Discuss any health conditions you have, such as:

• Type 1 diabetes: Wegovy® is not intended to treat type 1 diabetes.
• Thyroid cancer: If you or a family member have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN 2, Wegovy® may not be the right choice.
• Allergies: Inform your clinician if you’re allergic to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy®.
• Pancreas problems: If you’ve had pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), Wegovy® is not recommended.
• Gallbladder issues: Wegovy® can worsen gallbladder disease; let your clinician know if you’ve had problems in the past.
• Kidney or liver problems: If you’ve had kidney or liver issues, your clinician will determine if Wegovy® is right for you.
• Eye problems:Wegovy® can sometimes worsen diabetic retinopathy.
• Depression: If you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, discuss this with your clinician before starting Wegovy®.

Always provide accurate and complete information about your health. Not sharing important details can lead to serious risks and complications. This helps your clinician ensure Wegovy® is safe for you.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, let your clinician know.

• You cannot use Wegovy® during pregnancy due to potential risks to the baby. Women who are planning to become pregnant should stop using Wegovy® at least two months before trying to conceive.
• If you’re breastfeeding, tell your clinician. There’s no information on how Wegovy® affects breast milk or the baby and you shouldn’t use it while breastfeeding.

If you find out you’re pregnant while taking Wegovy®, reach out to your doctor immediately. There’s also a pregnancy registry to help track outcomes. You and your healthcare provider can call Novo Nordisk at 1-800-727-6500 to report the exposure and get registered.

For more information, check the Wegovy® prescribing information.

Your health is important to us. We want to ensure you’re informed about Wegovy®’s potential side effects, both common and serious. Below is an overview of potential side effects, starting with common ones and followed by more serious concerns.

Most common side effects

Many people experience mild side effects when starting Wegovy®, and these usually decrease over time. Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Feeling bloated
• Belching
• Low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes
• Gas
• Stomach flu
• Heartburn
• Runny nose or sore throat

For a complete list of all potential side effects, visit the official Wegovy® website. Keep in mind that side effects can vary based on the dosage, with the most frequently reported ones linked to the maximum dose of 2.4 mg.

While there aren’t any strict food restrictions with Wegovy®, it’s a good idea to limit certain foods that could impact how the medication works or potentially worsen side effects. Limiting sugary drinks, fried foods, spicy foods, and gas-forming vegetables can help.

If you’re looking for a structured approach, Noom’s color-coded food system and the GLP-1 Companion can guide you toward food choices that complement GLP-1 therapy.

Serious side effects and warnings

Wegovy® may cause serious side effects. If you notice signs or symptoms of any of the following, contact your clinician right away:

• Allergic reactions: Stop using Wegovy® and seek immediate medical help if you experience severe allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting, dizziness, or a rapid heartbeat.
• Pancreatitis: Look out for severe, persistent stomach pain that may radiate to your back, with or without vomiting.
• Vision changes: Inform your clinician if you notice any changes in your vision while using Wegovy®. For any sudden vision changes, seek immediate medical attention.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): If you have diabetes and use Wegovy® along with other medications that lower blood sugar, such as sulfonylureas or insulin, you may experience low blood sugar. Symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability, sweating, confusion, shakiness, weakness, headache, and fast heartbeat.
• Kidney problems: Wegovy® may worsen kidney issues, especially if you experience diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, leading to dehydration. Symptoms of kidney problems may include swelling in your legs or ankles, fatigue, shortness of breath, or changes in urination.
• Increased heart rate: Wegovy® may cause an increase in your resting heart rate. Get immediate medical atention if you experience a racing or pounding heartbeat that lasts for several minutes.
• Thyroid tumors:
  Watch for a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath. An increased risk of thyroid tumors has been observed in animal studies with Wegovy®.
• Depression or suicidal thoughts: Be mindful of any changes in your mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings. Get immediate medical attention if you notice new or worsening mental changes or if anything concerns you.

For full details on all potential side effects, visit the Wegovy® website or consult your clinician.

Wegovy® carries a boxed warning for serious risks, including:

Thyroid tumors and cancer

In studies with rodents, semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy®, has been shown to cause thyroid C-cell tumors at doses similar to those used in humans. It is not known whether Wegovy® causes these tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans. The relevance of these findings to humans has not been determined.

Do not use Wegovy® If:

• You or a family member has a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
• You have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

For more detailed information, see the full prescribing information for the complete boxed warning.

• If you’re experiencing side effects, contact your healthcare provider or clinician for advice.
• If you believe you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
• For questions about Wegovy® or to report side effects, you can contact Novo Nordisk Inc. at https://www.novonordisk-us.com/contact-us.html.
• You can also report side effects directly to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

For complete safety information, please refer to the prescribing information.